Official reveal: 2014 Ferrari California drops V12 for a turbo V8

The 2014 Ferrari California will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Handout, Ferrari

by
Nick Tragianis | February 12, 2014

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Following yesterday’s surprise teaser, Ferrari has unveiled the latest version of its droptop California.

Upon first blush, it looks like the standard mid-life refresh. Ferrari has given the 2014 California T a restyled front and rear end, a set of new wheels, a tweaked interior and an extra letter at the end of its name.

That extra letter signifies the changes under the hood. Rather than continuing with the normally-aspirated 4.3-litre V8, Ferrari has shoehorned Maserati’s 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 under the hood. Yes, displacement is down, but power gains are significant. The California T now pumps out 552 horsepower and 523 lb.-ft. of torque, up from the V12’s 483 horsepower and 372 pound-feet of torque. For what it’s worth, Ferrari also says the new turbocharged engine is 15 per cent more fuel efficient in everyday driving, but come on. When you’re in a Ferrari, who cares about fuel economy?

It might look like a mid-life refresh, but the 2014 Ferrari California T gets more than a set of new bumpers and wheels: It is now powered by a turbocharged V8 engine.

The California T still has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Engage Launch Control mode and it can sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in a thoroughly impressive 3.6 seconds before topping out at 315 km/h, or 196 mph. To keep the trademark sound we’re used to, Ferrari has fitted the California T with a specially-tuned exhaust. Additionally, the California T sports a handful of handling tweaks, such as a quicker steering rack and new magnetic dampers. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also standard equipment.